APSU volleyball team (8-2) competed in the Ole Miss Classic in Oxford, Mississippi, on Thursday, Sept. 7, APSU took a three-set loss against Ole Miss (22-25, 15-25, 22-25). The following day, the Govs faced Mercer in a four-set win (25-18,25-23, 16-25, 24-23) and a five -set victory over Northwestern State (25-19, 23-25, 25-18, 16-25, 15-10).
Letsgopeay.com reported that the Govs kept Ole Miss close during the first set. After 17-17, the Rebels took charge of the set. APSU tried to comeback after a block from senior Ashley Slay at 22-24, but the Rebels would go on to get the final point.
The Rebels won the second set by restraining Slay. The APSU senior only managed three attack attempts and was not allowed any kills.
In the third set, the Govs hung with the Rebels and took a lead at 8-7. APSU maintained the lead until a block from the Rebels tied the score at 19-19. After a kill from Mississippi’s Kate Gibson, the Rebels took the lead and held it until the end.
The Govs saw better results the next day in their contest against Mercer. Freshman Brooke Moore had a break-out performance with a career high of 19 kills.
Moore opened the first set with five kills and a 0.363 attack percentage. The freshman also impressed with 12 digs in her second career double-double.
The Govs took the match against the Bears after a 5-0 run, consisting of two kills from Moore and some help from Slay and redshirt junior Christina White.
The Govs and Northwestern State battled in the opening set. The Lady Demons threatened the Govs at 15-14, but thanks to kills from junior Logan Carger, White and Moore as well as a block from junior Kristen Stucker, the Govs were able to end the set.
Northwestern continued to rally, and when the Govs were up 16-12, the Lady Demons managed to tie the score at 22-22. After they took a one-point lead, the Lady Demons overtook APSU once again to win the set.
APSU took control of the third set early and sailed to the win; however, Northwestern responded in the fourth by taking an early lead and maintaining it for the 25-16 victory.
The Govs used a 5-0 run to break the 4-4 tie of the fifth set. Two kills from Carger, a block from Stucker and a kill from Slay helped to ensure the win for the Govs.
Carger had an impressive 14 kills in the match along with a 0.478 attack percentage. Moore also posted her second straight double-double with 10 kills and 12 digs.
The Govs return to action on Friday, Sept. 15 in Jacksonville, Florida. APSU will face South Florida, Presbyterian and Jacksonville.
